The Capitol Conservation District recently developed the “Ben Franklin Career & Technical Center” Outdoor Classroom, a one-of-a-kind education program that encompasses aquatics, forestry, wildlife, soils, and agriculture through hands-on, exploratory learning in Kanawha County, West Virginia. The project was developed cooperatively with various state agencies, NRCS, the Great Kanawha RC&D, the West Virginia Association of CDs, West Virginia University, the City of Dunbar, the county school district, and other organizations.

The facility features a fully operational high tunnel, an interpretive learning trail outfitted with plant identification signage, native pollinator plots, as well as marsh and pond habitats. Partners have helped to provide technical expertise, develop educational content, and design progress-monitoring tools and media for this important project. Over 30 different pocket guides covering native flora and fauna of the area are available to students for hands-on learning at the site. The district has also held multiple workshops, partner projects, and field trips, with more on the schedule!

The outdoor classroom connects students directly with local professionals and subject matter experts from across Kanawha County, inspiring youth with geographically relevant conservation learning opportunities. This project provides a centrally located learning and research hub to local students and is expected to reach a diverse community of approximately 25,000 youth with previously limited access to natural resources education.

Funding for this education program was provided by The Great Kanawha RC&D, West Virginia Association of CDs, the WV Conservation Agency, and the Friends of NACD District Grants Program.

The Friends of NACD District Grants Program is a grassroots-funded program designed by conservation districts to conduct new activities and/or test novel approaches to their operations. Stay tuned for the 2025 Friends of NACD District Grants Program opportunity, to be released this fall. Learn more about current and past projects on the Friends of NACD website.

Please consider becoming a member of Friends of NACD to help provide more grant opportunities like this to districts throughout the NACD network.